Maximizing REE Recovery in Geothermal Systems
- Univ. of California, Davis, CA (United States)
- Univ. of Oregon, Eugene, OR (United States)
Rare Earth element (REE) concentrations were measure in several on-land geothermal systems, many of which boil due to pressure drop during fluid upflow in geothermal production wells. REE were also measured in several seafloor hydrothermal systems sampled at pressures above the boiling point for comparison to boiled systems. Boiling during production lowers REE concentration in fluids sampled at the well head due to changes in fluid pH and Temperature that occur during boiling that affect the solubility of REE mineral phases. Geochemical calculations using the best available thermodynamic data were preformed to extend the understanding of REE behavior beyond the systems sampled for this study. Our data and modeling show that REE concentration in geothermal fluids is controlled by solubility limits, not by concentration in the source rocks. With the exception of La and Ce, the concentration of most of the REE in geothermal fluids are less than one part per trillion. There are no reasonable scenarios under which co-production of REE from geothermal fluids used to produce energy will contribute to the economic viability of the resource.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Davis, CA (United States); Univ. of Oregon, Eugene, OR (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EE0006748
- OSTI ID:
- 1501682
- Report Number(s):
- DE-EE0006748
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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